I saw the face of joy
as my son and I ran
yelling
after the ball that rolled
past my guard. He screaming
and laughing, I roaring
and pounding closer
to the two of them.
A lovingly repeated game
that always ends
with a small win.
He clutched his success
in two hands and grinned.
Not at me but
outward at it all.
The green park grass,
the dark park trees,
his shining victory.
He was gone from me.
I waited
smiling for his return.